A Study of Light and a Lenten Prayer

For Lent this year, I decided to go on a journey of indulging in special time with my Father, seeking the fullness of His Presence and seeking out light in all its forms through scripture, other readings and everyday life.  

Light, illumination, luminary, happiness, bright, clear day, morning, sun, glitter, shimmer, gold, a clear sky, fair weather, golden splendor. With descriptions like that, who doesn’t want more light in their life? Below are some verses, quotes, and thoughts that have been meaningful to me thus far in my journey.

“And God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light. -Genesis 1:3

“Father, You are calling for us, calling us out of hiding ... and we come out of the shadows. And into Your presence.” -Ann Voskamp Trail to the Cross

“He bowed the heavens and came down;” -2 Samuel 22:10

“Thou hast died for me, may I live for thee, ... in every pulse of my heart.” 

-The Valley of Vision ‘CHRIST IS ALL’ p.18

“...enjoy his fullness ... that when I do this I am full of the Spirit, as a fish that has got from the shore to the sea and has all fullness of waters to move in.” -The Valley of Vision ‘FULLNESS IN CHRIST’ p.19

“In him the unholy find renovation” -The Valley of Vision ‘THE NAME OF JESUS’ p.21

“Beautiful are the words spoken to me, beautiful is the One who is speaking.  Come in close, come in close and speak, come in close, come closer to me” -Charlie Hall

“...that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD” -Psalm 27:4

“Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him.” -Psalm 37:6

“His face is brighter than a thousand suns! - The Son breaks out in glory when he shows himself as one who outshines all creation” -The Valley of Vision ‘LOVE TO JESUS’ p.26

“How precious is your steadfast love, O God! The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings. They feast on the abundance of your house, and you give them drink from the river of your delights.  For with you is the fountain of life; in your light do we see light.” -Psalm 36:7-9

“Send out your light and your truth; let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling! Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy, and I will praise you...” - Psalm 43:3-4

I end with the following Lenten prayer which embodies so much of my heart and desires during this time:

O HOLY SPIRIT

As the sun is full of light, the ocean full of water,

     Heaven full of glory, so may my heart be full of thee.

Vain are all divine purposes of love

        and the redemption wrought by Jesus 

        except thou work within,

               regenerating by thy power,

               giving me eyes to see Jesus,

               showing me the realities of the unseen world.

Give me thyself without measure,

        as an unimpaired fountain,

        as inexhaustible riches.

I bewail my coldness, poverty, emptiness,

                imperfect vision, languid service,

                prayerless prayers, praiseless praises.

Suffer me not to grieve or resist thee.

Come as power,

        to expel every rebel lust, to reign supreme and keep me
         thine;

Come as teacher,

        leading me into all truth, filling me with all
         understanding;

Come as love,

        that I may adore the Father, and love him as my all;

Come as joy,

        to dwell in me, move in me, animate me;

Come as light,

        illuminating the Scripture, moulding me in its laws;

Come as sanctifier,

        body, soul and spirit wholly thine;

Come as helper,

        with strength to bless and keep, directing my every
         step;

Come as beautifier,

        bringing order out of confusion, loveliness out of chaos.

Magnify to me thy glory by being magnified in me,

        and make me redolent of they fragrance.

-The Valley of Vision ‘SPIRITUS SANCTUS’ p.28